Cadillac’s 2023 IMSA LMDh Has First Track Test
Cadillac has turned first testing laps with its 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship contender, the LMDh race car that was shown in studio shots just a couple of weeks ago. Cadillac Racing’s Chip Ganassi Racing driver Earl Bamber, who co-drives with Alex Lynn in the No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-VR, was first to take laps in the car – at an undisclosed racing circuit.
There are – at minimum – four manufacturers entered in the new class, Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), which will take over from the current DPi prototypes when IMSA has its initial practices before next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona in late January. The sole American brand joins Acura, BMW and Porsche in the Grand Touring Prototype class, which is eligible to compete in both IMSA’s premier series and in the FIA’s World Endurance Championship (WEC), which includes the oldest endurance race on the planet, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The LMDh prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter, dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-8 engine that has been developed by General Motors’ Performance and Racing propulsion team. It’s is paired to the LMDh common hybrid system. Together with the spec energy recovery system, the 680-horsepower race car serves as Cadillac’s first hybrid prototype for racing purposes.
Kiwi Bamber was impressed, despite the newness of the Cadillac race car and the beginning of the development process. The New Zealander was privileged to be first behind the wheel to shake down the car. “This was a monumental event, thanks to a complete group effort between Cadillac, Chip Ganassi Racing and (chassis maker) Dallara,” he said. “It was an exhilarating feeling to jump in the car for the first time and get a sense of what the future will look like. So much work has gone into the 2023 race car, and I can’t wait to see it take flight next season.”
Co-developed by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and Dallara, the LMDh features traditional design aspects of Cadillac’s heritage, including vertical lighting and floating blades. These design aesthetics will preview Cadillac’s future portfolio for its road-going cars, as well as its racing cars. Both Chip Ganassi Racing and Action Express Racing, both of whom compete for Cadillac in IMSA’s DPi prototype class, are continuing their association with the marque as the series enters GTP competition.
GM’s sports car racing program manager, Laura Wontrop Klauser, who has charge of the IMSA programs and particularly both the Cadillac and Corvette Racing competition remarked on the first on-track expedition by the new LMDh Cadillac, “The first laps are the start of an aggressive testing schedule ahead of next year. Our team is dedicated to continuing Cadillac Racing’s rich heritage of winning on the track,” she said.
Development of the race car continues through the balance of 2022, with IMSA-sanctioned tests scheduled for October 3-5 at the 2.540-mile Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta and on the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road/oval course December 6-7, prior to its public debut at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 January 20-22.
Cadillac Racing assistant program manager, Kalvin Parker noted, “It’s exciting to see the hard work and ingenuity of the whole team pay off. The 2023 season promises to be one of the most competitive ever, so we’re looking forward to developing the race car with further testing on-track, driver feedback and in the wind tunnel,” he said.
By Anne Proffit